Crystal Palace 0 Barnsley 0: All change as Barnsley claim a precious point

A mix-up with the kits threatened to upset Barnsley’s preparations as they had to play in the Eagles’ away kit after referee Keith Stroud deemed the Tykes’ blue and black away outfit clashed with Palace’s red and blue home kit.

“There was a bit of a stand-off before the game as I didn’t want my players to not have the Barnsley badge, something they play for every day,” said Flitcroft.

“But you realise the sense is probably to listen to the referee and I think it was the right decision.

“He asked us if we could wear our warm-up tops which I didn’t think was appropriate so we decided to go with Palace’s kit.

“The club had done everything it could before the game to make sure we had this situation right. We spoke to referees in the week and made sure they were happy with the kit and then we got here at 1.30pm and it was all change.”

Barnsley rarely threatened as an attacking force, but Flitcroft was pleased with how they kept 
Palace’s 30-goal striker Glenn Murray quiet.

“I think the experience of Stephen Foster and Bobby Hassell marshalled Glenn Murray really well which you have to do, he is the best striker in the league.

“Having two experienced heads in there helped us and it is important down the centre of the pitch that you have leaders.”

The draw kept Barnsley a point above the drop zone while denting Palace’s automatic promotion hopes.

Palace chief Ian Holloway, however, believes a top-two finish remains possible after seeing his Palace side dominate possession but fail to show a cutting edge as they made it four games unbeaten. It put them eight points behind second-placed Hull with five games left and realistically facing the lottery of the play-offs.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ward, Ramage, Delaney, Parr, Zaha, Jedinak, Williams, Bolasie (Dobbie 77), Moritz (Phillips 64), Murray (Wilbraham 80). Unused substitutes: Price, Richards, Marrow, Gabbidon.

Barnsley: Steele, Hassell, Wiseman, Foster, Kennedy, Perkins, Mellis (Cywka 90), Etuhu (O’Brien 62), Dawson, O’Grady, Scotland (Dagnall 68). Unused substitutes: Alnwick, Harewood, Jones, Rose.

Referee: K Stroud (Hampshire).

Man of the match: Luke Steele.